Ala. casino owner expects short sentence in probe

Associated Press

Gilley

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A key government witness in Alabama's gambling corruption trial, Country Crossing casino developer Ronnie Gilley, signed a plea deal providing for a prison sentence of 20 to 27 years. But he admits to telling people that he expects to be out in less than five because he has helped prosecutors.
Gilley's comments were revealed in recorded phone calls he made in April while in the Montgomery city jail. The tapes of those calls were subpoenaed by defense lawyers.
Under questioning by defense lawyers, Gilley said he doesn't expect to serve 20 years. He said he has talked about a sentence of less than five years and possibly even house arrest. But he said he has no agreement with prosecutors about what they will recommend.